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Vacant islands grocery to become Ace Hardware

Charles Cleland, left, and Randy West plan to open an Ace Hardware store in the former Wilmington Island Piggly Wiggly.

Carl Elmore

Randy West

Carl Elmore

Charles Cleland

Carl Elmore

An Ace Hardware store is planned in the former Wilmington Island Piggly Wiggly grocery store.

Charles Cleland and Randy West have lived on Savannah's eastside islands for much of their lives. Like many of their friends, they were regulars at Woo's Hardware on Johnny Mercer Boulevard. In fact, West owns the package shop next door.

So it seemed a natural fit for the two friends - and now business partners - to join forces to fill the void left when Woo's closed its doors in June after more than 40 years on Wilmington Island.

The pair is in the process of transforming a big chunk of the vacant Piggly Wiggly into an Ace Hardware center they say will combine the convenience of a large hardware store with the friendly feel and customer service of a neighborhood fixture.

They will combine Cleland's knowledge of all phases of construction with West's 30 year's experience in retail management, drawing on input from area residents to create a 14,000-square-foot store and 4,000-square-foot garden center customized to the needs and wants of coastal customers.

"We're not going to be your run of the mill hardware store," West said. "We're planning to carry everything from nuts and bolts and other typical hardware supplies to patio furniture, hunting and fishing gear and Carhartt outdoor clothing."

They're even looking at the possibility of offering some larger appliances.

"We have lots of ideas - we'll have to see how far we can stretch our space," he said.

The empty grocery store has been subdivided, with a long wall running just left of center splitting it into two storefront spaces. Ace will occupy the larger area between the interior wall and Hunan Chinese Restaurant to the right.

The garden center will be located behind Hunan's with access through another door in the hardware store.

The space to the left is currently being negotiated, according to Ryan Schneider of Hostetter Schneider Realty Partners, leasing agents and property managers for the shopping center.

"We've been in very good discussions with one prospective tenant," he said.

While he declined to name the client, Schneider said it would be a good fit with Ace.

The entire property will be getting a face lift, he said, including facade repairs, repainting with a new color scheme and new awning and upgraded landscaping - all designed to tie one end of the shopping center to the other.

There's room for expansion and interest in the vacant lot on the other side of the property, he said.

J.T. Turner Construction is renovating the space for Cleland and West, upgrading floors, lighting, fixtures, heat and heat conditioning units and repositioning doors. The partners are aiming for a March 1 opening.

"The Ace people have been great to work with," Cleland said, adding that he and West own the store while Ace provides branding, advertising and product support.

"It's really the best of both worlds," he said. "We have the quality, reputation and resources of Ace, while our money stays right here on the island."